PM approves new envoys for UAE, Russia

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved the Foreign Office’s proposal to appoint Special Secretary Foreign Affairs Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan as Pakistan’s new ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), replacing Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, the current envoy in Abu Dhabi.

The prime minister has also approved the transfer and appointment of Faisal Tirmizi as Pakistan’s ambassador to Russia.

Highly placed sources told The News/Jang on Friday evening that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar proposed the changes, which were endorsed by the premier.

In the meantime, Pakistan has sought the agre ment (consent for appointment) for both ambassadors from the UAE and Russia, respectively. The new envoys will proceed to their designated postings immediately after receiving the agre ment. Pakistan’s current ambassador in Moscow, Khalid Jamali, has been asked to remain in the Russian capital until his successor arrives.

Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan is currently serving as spokesperson and special secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), in addition to his role as Additional Foreign Secretary (Europe). With his departure, a new spokesperson for the Foreign Office will be appointed, and the possibility of appointing a woman diplomat to the position has not been ruled out.